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Just Diagnosed with a - 4.1 Left Femoral Neck T-score

Posted , 12 users are following.

Janice1986
Janice1986

Hello All,

I've just been diagnosed with osteoporosis due to a -4.1 t-score of the left femoral neck.  I am horrified.  My lumbar spine (-2.4) and left hip (-2.3) are not quite there, but not good either.  10 years ago I was diagnosed as having osteopenia, but I was never given the scores or any other information, so I didn't pay much attention to it.  I thought I wouldn't have to worry about actual OP for many years...I am 49.

I'm pretty sure that my diet and lack of exercise have played a huge part in all of this, as has my extremely high stress levels over the past two years.  I have been taking D3 (2000mg) for years, although not religiously except for the past year.  I am starting on calcium, K2 and magnesium today, and ramping up my exercise to every single day.

I have an appointment with my doctor on April 10th.  I'm sure she'll be recommending medication, but like so many of you on here, I'd really like to go the natural route first to see if that improves my scores.  

I guess my question is...is that even realistic?  I am terrified of all of the options.  I've read many of the posts here, and am really thankful to have found this forum.  I'm mainly here for moral support, because I feel like this has knocked me down.  

Thanks so much -

Janice

2 likes, 65 replies

65 Replies

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  • kathleen65757
    kathleen65757 Janice1986

    Posted

    It is like pieces of a puzzle. Even if you do not agree with someone you can take something from their discussion. People taking the drugs are now adding the natural way to it by taking vitamin K2, magnesium, etc. and everyone is trying to do weight bearing exercise. I miss Allison with two l’s as she and another lady with opposing views debated the pros and cons with integrity. 

    You don’t learn anything if people only agree with you but add nothing to the discussion.

    There are some good people on here who are qualified to research in a scholarly manner one of whom is Anhaga as she is a librarian. 

    Also, when something is said you can go and check and read more widely to be better informed and armed as well.

    Something new is added every day!

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga kathleen65757

      Posted

      So true.  Like when I started this journey it was really only the alternative bone people who were sounding the warning about denosumab, but now it's common knowledge, proper research is now available to be read on the internet, plus problems apparently were known for a while.  And yet people are still being prescribed this drug. rolleyes

    • Reeceregan
      Reeceregan Anhaga

      Posted

      I have my first rheumatologist appointment today after my first Prolia injection in February. I understand the need for me to be on it with a t score of -4 and high risk factors but I was told 3 years. More questions will be asked today after all,things I’ve learned on this forum!
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Reeceregan

      Posted

      Please let us know what your rheumatologist says.  I think what's going to happen is people who take Prolia will automatically be put on another OP med when they want to come off denosumab to prevent the rebound osteoporosis.  Denosumab seems to improve bone density so effectively people naturally want to stop taking it when it seems they don't need it any more.  It's really quite disappointing for patients and doctors who believed it was so much better than the older drugs.  Nothing is ever simple, is it?

    • Reeceregan
      Reeceregan Anhaga

      Posted

      So....the look on my rheumatologist’s face was priceless. This was the man who told me  I’d only be on Prolia for 3 years, and my first injection was just in February. When I asked him if he’d heard the latest research about having to take it for maybe 10 or even life to avoid a rebound effect, he stared at me as if to say” oh no, you’ve been doing your own research” or “ I didn’t know that”. I wasn’t quite sure which one, but I wasn’t getting a good vibe. Then very quietly  he said  “probably life”. 
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Reeceregan

      Posted

      Aaaah!  Troublesome patients, that's what we are.  The bane of the physician's life.  But they'll have to get used to it.  The generation of Internet-innocent elders has passed, we are too savvy and connected now.  Time for the professionals to pull up their socks!

    • Janice1986
      Janice1986 Reeceregan

      Posted

      I'm sorry, Reeceregan.  I hope that you continue to be side-effect free from the Prolia shot, and I hope that "for life" isn't the answer.  I'm holding out faith that they'll improve all of these drugs.

    • Reeceregan
      Reeceregan Janice1986

      Posted

      Thanks Janice

      I’m not sure I’m entirely side effect free to be honest, as it can be hard to differentiate between PMR aches and pains, prednisone tapering withdrawals, or Prolia bits and pieces. The rheumy did say though that any Prolia things only last a few days, but then so do my tapering withdrawls. RIght now I have to get back into my weighted vest and Nordic walking poles as it’s not quite warm enough to get into our  pool for my aqua exercises and my willpower went a bit south lately as well. Never mind, onward and upward ...as long as I don’t fall downward! 🤦???

  • kathleen65757
    kathleen65757 Janice1986

    Posted

    My sister ony had one injection of prolia and never had another one as she felt so unwell while on it. Maybe find out if you can safely get off it in a shorter time frame as I would be a bit concerned to have it for life or ten years. Fancy a specialist having so little knowledge of a drug that he happily injects into his patients. They should feel a responsibility to their patients. 

    When is your next scan?

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